Robotics & digital solutions Transforming in the digital age

The previous year was quite eventful for ABB. The company introduced a single-arm collaborative robot, an addition to the YuMi collection. It also launched its industry-leading portfolio of digital solutions called ‘ABB Ability.’

ABB is one of the leading robotic companies across the globe. In the past year, the company has seen some significant developments. For instance, recently ABB introduced the newest member of the YuMi family. YuMi is the world’s first collaborative and dual-arm industrial robot. The new addition is a single-arm collaborative robot, which combines industry-leading capabilities with a much smaller footprint. Scheduled to be officially launched in 2018, the new collaborative robot has been created to increase productivity on the shop floor and ensure accuracy in the production process. The robot is compact in size and can be easily integrated into existing assembly lines thus, increasing productivity. With a payload of 500 grams, the single-arm collaborative robot also features lead-through programming, eliminating the need for specialized training for operators.

ABB's business deal

The company has also announced a collaborative robot automation cooperation with Kawasaki Heavy Industries, a global industrial automation and robot supplier. The deal is considered to be the first collaboration that focuses on ‘cobots’. Both the companies will work together to share knowledge and promote the benefits of collaborative robots, that allow humans and robots to work smoothly with each other on the shop floor.

ABB has also completed its acquisition of B&R (Bernecker + Rainer Industrie-Elektronik GmbH), the largest independent provider focused on product- and software-based, open-architecture solutions for machine and factory automation worldwide.

Digital solutions

In terms of digital solutions, ABB has come up with its industry-leading portfolio of digital solutions called ‘ABB Ability.’ The portfolio includes more than 180 digital solutions and makes use of the industrial internet to create digitally connected devices, systems and services that dramatically increase productivity, cut maintenance costs considerably and reduce energy consumption up to a third in today’s digital age. It has also added virtual commissioning software solutions ‘Drive Composer Pro’, ‘Automation Builder’ and ‘RobotStudio’ as a part of ABB Ability. The new age solutions prove ideal for industries that depend on plants and systems, control systems for process industries, remote monitoring services for robots, motors and machines, control solutions for buildings and offshore platforms along with charging infrastructures for electric vehicles.

With changing dimensions in the manufacturing industry, ABB's future business looks poised for growth!

For more news visit our facebook page or twitter.

(ID:45099696)